Your Guide to Cloud Printing
The terms ‘cloud printing’ and ‘cloud computing is everywhere these days – especially in a digital office. While you may have heard of these terms, do you know what it actually means and how cloud printing can help improve the workplace?
Well, here, we’ll be exploring everything there is to know about cloud printing, including how it works and the benefits it can have in the office, so keep reading to find out more.
What Is Cloud Printing?
Cloud printing is an increasingly popular way to print important documents to your office workstation no matter where you are. By connecting devices such as laptops, tablets and even smartphones to your work’s printer station, employees will experience seamless and reliable printing whether they’re at home, in a meeting or the office.
Compared to traditional printing, where you need to connect the printer to your computer through a cable, cloud printing relies on the internet and the data or documents you’ve stored in the ‘cloud’, making it an easier and more flexible way to print without having to deal with software or connectivity issues.
How Does Cloud Printing Work?
Essentially, cloud printing works by allowing employees to print from any device that’s connected to the internet and the office printer. For example, if an employee is working from home and creates a graphic, that can then be sent to the cloud (a storage system that works over the internet, rather than a hard drive, that can be accessed at any time, in any place and with any device) and printed from their home to the office using a smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Cloud printing also allows employees to quickly discover printers without having to go through the hassle of setting up driver installations, making it ultra-quick and easy to manage. The beauty of cloud printing is that it works with both cloud-ready printers, such as HP’s ePrinters, or older printers that can still connect to the internet with the use of a cloud printing app.
What are the Benefits of Cloud Printing?
Whether you have 10 or 100 employees, there are plenty of benefits of introducing cloud printing to startups, small, medium or large offices. Here are some of the top benefits you can expect with cloud printing:
1. Simple to Use and Set Up
Cloud printing is incredibly simple to use and set up, requiring much less effort than traditional printers and, therefore, maximising your employees’ valuable time. With cloud printing, you’ll no longer need to worry about software, drivers or cables and will be able to offer employees greater flexibility with where they work.
2. Reduced Costs
Cloud printing can help reduce office costs as it eliminates the need to buy and manage any hardware and software needed for a standard printer. Plus, since your print servers will be in the cloud, there’ll be no need for any operating costs either.
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
We all want to be able to do our part when it comes to helping the environment, and if you’re looking to implement some more sustainable practices within the office, cloud printing is the way to go. Printing through the cloud helps lower carbon emissions and reduced the amount of wastage, too.
4. Quicker Software Updates
Updating software is never a fun task, and if you’re a larger company, it could take hours out of the day. With cloud printing, software upgrades happen automatically, and in real-time so your printing services will always be up to date and as secure as possible with far less downtime.
If you’re kitting out a brand new office or just want to upgrade your printing equipment, take a look at our printing solutions page for more information about what type of printing service will be right for you.
Also, check out our guide of the top 6 best office printers for all businesses of all sizes.